US6323452B1 - Feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects on a tray of an automated sorting system - Google Patents
Feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects on a tray of an automated sorting system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6323452B1 US6323452B1 US09/368,757 US36875799A US6323452B1 US 6323452 B1 US6323452 B1 US 6323452B1 US 36875799 A US36875799 A US 36875799A US 6323452 B1 US6323452 B1 US 6323452B1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- objects
- destination
- tray
- conveying device
- feeding
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
- B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
- B07C3/08—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution using arrangements of conveyors
- B07C3/082—In which the objects are carried by transport holders and the transport holders form part of the conveyor belts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/34—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor
- B65G47/46—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points
- B65G47/50—Devices for discharging articles or materials from conveyor and distributing, e.g. automatically, to desired points according to destination signals stored in separate systems
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/74—Feeding, transfer, or discharging devices of particular kinds or types
- B65G47/94—Devices for flexing or tilting travelling structures; Throw-off carriages
- B65G47/96—Devices for tilting links or platform
- B65G47/962—Devices for tilting links or platform tilting about an axis substantially parallel to the conveying direction
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
- Y10S209/911—Feed means supporting or guiding item moving under influence of gravity
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S209/00—Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
- Y10S209/918—Swinging or rotating pusher feeding item
Definitions
- the present invention relates to conveyor sorting systems and the automated sorting of objects, and more particularly relates to a feeding system for placing a plurality of objects on a single tray bound for the same geographic destination.
- sorting facilities are equipped with automated transfer systems whenever possible. These transfer systems must be fast, durable, easy to repair or replace, and provide gentle but accurate handling of each package. Furthermore, automatic sorting systems are often used in connection with handling product inventories, assembling ordered items for shipment, and delivering parts to locations where they are needed in manufacturing operations.
- Parcel shipping companies now have sorting facilities equipped with automated sorting and transfer systems that provide significantly improved package handling compared to manual labor.
- Some of these known sorting systems tilt tray conveyor systems in which packages to be sorted are loaded on tilt trays.
- the trays are mounted on carriages that are driven in lines or trains past one or more loading stations at which packages are placed on the trays.
- the trays are then moved past a plurality of unloading stations each corresponding to a geographical destination.
- each package is loaded alone onto the first empty tilt tray as it passes the loading station and is unloaded at an unloading station corresponding with the package's geographic destination. Examples of tilt tray sorting systems are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,570,773 and 5,388,681.
- the capacity of an automated sorting system depends on the number of trays, the number of loading and unloading stations, and the speed of the equipment. During holiday seasons when package volume is high, the capacity of the sorting system can become a limiting factor in the delivery company's ability to make promised delivery deadlines. However, it may not be practical to increase the number of trays, the number of loading and unloading stations, or the speed of the system. For example, the size of the sorting facility may be limited by the available space.
- the tilt trays of these known sorting systems are sized for receiving the largest of a variety of differently sized packages. Only in rare circumstances does a single package require the entire surface of a single tray. Thus, the carrying capacity of the tilt trays generally is under-utilized.
- the present invention seeks to increase the capacity of automated sorting systems without increasing the size or speed of the system. This object is accomplished in the present invention by providing a feeding system and method that can place a plurality of packages bound for the same geographic destination on a single tray of an automated sorting system.
- the present invention provides a feeding system for placing a plurality of objects on a conveying device of a sorting system adapted to transport and distribute a series of objects from loading stations to unloading stations, comprising a data input device; a programmable controller connected to receive from the data input device data indicating a destination and a dimension of each of the objects; a conveying device movable under the control of the programmable controller between loading and unloading stations of the sorting system; and a feeding station adjacent to a path of the conveying device, including one or more feed conveyors positioned to load the objects onto designated destination areas of the conveying device; the controller being responsive to the destination and dimension data to determine when two or more objects sharing a common destination will fit within a single designated destination area of the conveying device, and to operate the one or more feed conveyors to load the two or more objects onto the designated destination area.
- the loading of the second of the two objects onto the designated destination area is done by a second downstream feed conveyor while continuing to move the conveying device. This approach maintains the speed of the system.
- the destination data may refer to any location.
- it may refer to a geographic location, such as a zip code area, or a location within the sorting system, such as a particular unloading station or conveyor, or a place within a shipping company's delivery system, such as a hub facility, or a transportation device, such as a tractor trailer, rail car, or local delivery vehicle.
- the controller may, responsive to destination and dimension data, determine when three objects sharing a common destination will fit within one designated destination area of the conveying device, and operate the feed conveyors to load the three objects onto the designated destination area.
- the third object is loaded by a third feed conveyor.
- the sorting system is a tilt tray sorter, and the designated destination area of the conveying device comprises a tilt tray.
- the measured dimension of the objects in this embodiment may be a width of each of the objects in a feed direction in which the object moves during loading, and the controller may compare the combined widths of the objects to the width of the tray to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit on the tray.
- the data input device may include sensors operative to measure the width between the leading and trailing edges of objects as they move on the feeding conveyor, and an optical scanner positioned to read destination indicia affixed to the objects.
- the optical scanner may be, for example, a CCD camera or a laser bar code scanner.
- the data input device may be an interface for human input of destination and dimension data, such as a keyboard or a voice recognition device.
- an imaging scanner can be positioned to obtain an image of the tilt tray after a first package has been loaded.
- the controller then can determine a first footprint of the first object on the tilt tray, and a second footprint of the second object still on its feed conveyor, and compare a combined footprint of the objects to a footprint threshold to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit on the tray.
- the data input device may include a scale connected to the programmable controller for determining the weight of each of the objects to be placed within the designated destination area, the programmable controller may compare a combined weight of the objects to an acceptable weight threshold prior to loading the second object.
- a scale is a plurality of load cells positioned underneath a feed conveyor.
- the present invention also provides a method for placing a plurality of objects on a conveying device of a sorting system adapted to transport and distribute a series of objects from loading stations to unloading stations of the sorting system, comprising the steps of reading destination information from the objects; measuring a dimension of the objects; at a first loading station, loading a first object onto the conveying device within a designated destination area; determining whether a second object having the same destination as the first object will fit within the designated destination area with the first object; and if the second object will fit within the designated destination area with the first object, loading the second object onto the designated destination area.
- the second object is loaded at a second loading station.
- the method may include programming a controller to store destination and dimension information about a plurality of objects waiting to be loaded onto the sorting system, and to coordinate the loading sequence of the objects from the loading stations to place more than one object within a designated destination area when possible, thereby to optimize utilization of the capacity of the sorting system.
- FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an automated sorting system embodying a feeding system of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an isolated pictorial view of a tilt tray holding two packages.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of the control circuit of the sorting system of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a mode of operation of the feeding system of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a diagram showing relative starting positions of one group of packages.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram showing relative starting positions of another group of packages.
- FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic top view of a second embodiment of a feeding system according to the invention, in which an image of a first tray is obtained after initial loading.
- FIG. 8 is an isolated pictorial view of a package lifted away from a tray to show the footprint of the package.
- FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a sorting system 10 including a feeding station 20 embodying the present invention.
- the invention will be disclosed in the context of a tilt tray sorting system of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,773, which is incorporated herein by reference.
- the sorting system 10 includes a monorail 22 and a line or train of carriages 23 mounted for travel along the monorail 22 , which forms a closed loop in the preferred form shown.
- the carriages 23 each carry either an upper tilt tray 25 or a lower tilt tray 27 , and are driven along the monorail in one direction.
- the position of the carriages is tracked with one or more position encoders 28 (FIG. 3) in a known manner.
- the tilt trays pass one or more of the feeding stations 20 , where they receive packages P, and a plurality of unloading stations 30 , where the trays are tilted in a known manner to discharge the packages onto an upper chute 32 or a lower chute 33 .
- the invention also can be embodied in a single level tilt tray sorting system, and in other types of sorting systems in which individual objects can be identified and routed to one of at least two destinations.
- some carriage sorting systems discharge objects using on-board powered rollers or adjacent movable arms that push objects off the carriages.
- Other sorting systems place objects in separated areas of a conveyor belt, and divert the objects from the conveyor belt at the desired destination. Any sorting system that places individual objects in a designated destination area for sorting can benefit from the present invention, which places two or more objects bound for the same destination in the same designated destination area.
- a plurality of upper feed conveyors 40 are positioned to load packages P onto upper level tilt trays 25 .
- a plurality of lower feed conveyors 42 are positioned to load packages onto lower tilt trays 27 .
- the trays 25 and 27 preferably move continuously through the feeding station which loads them while they are moving, but, in the alternative, the trays may pause at each feed conveyor and index between them.
- FIG. 1 shows feed conveyors 40 A and 40 B positioned directly across from each other, and feed conveyor 40 C positioned a distance downstream from conveyor 40 A.
- FIG. 5 shows diagrammatically a preferred configuration in which conveyors 40 A and 40 B are directly across from each other, and conveyors 40 C and 40 D are directly across from each other and immediately adjacent to conveyors 40 A and 40 B, respectively.
- the feed conveyors that are directly across from one another may load different trays at different times, or the same tray at the same time.
- the downstream feed conveyors, such as 40 C and 40 D in FIG. 5 can load the same tray at the same time, load trays individually, or add a package to a tray previously loaded with a package by an upstream feed conveyor.
- An optical scanner 45 such as a CCD camera or a laser bar code scanner, is mounted above each feed conveyor 40 and 42 . As each package passes beneath the scanner 45 , data pertaining to the package's ultimate (or intermediate) destination is read from the surface of the package (usually from a label). An image obtained by the scanner 45 also may be analyzed to determine dimensions of the package. However, in the embodiment shown, a phototransmitter/photocell pair 47 a / 48 a is mounted so that the beam from the phototransmitter passes above the upper feed conveyor 40 in the path of packages traveling toward the tilt trays. A similar pair 47 b / 48 b projects a beam above the lower feed conveyor 42 . The speed of the feed conveyors is known.
- the dimension of the package in a direction along the feed conveyor can be calculated.
- a roller sensitive to weight may be incorporated into the feed conveyor and monitored to provide the time taken by a package to traverse the roller, and the same dimension calculated based on the speed of the conveyor.
- This dimension in the feed direction will be referred to arbitrarily herein as the “width” of the package, even though sometimes it may be the longer dimension of the package.
- the width of the packages will be compared with the width of the tilt trays in determining whether more than one package will fit onto a tray. Such groups of packages that will fit onto one tray are sometimes referred to herein as complementary packages.
- Each feed conveyor 40 , 42 also has an associated load cell array 50 a, 50 b, respectively, positioned beneath the upper run of the conveyor to measure the weight of the packages in a known manner.
- a conventional position encoder 52 tracks the movement of the feed conveyor beginning at the position of the scanner 45 . Thus, upon identifying a particular package at the scanner 45 , its position on the feed conveyor and then along the monorail 22 is known at all times.
- the movement of the carriages 23 , the operation of the feeding stations 20 , and the operation of the unloading stations 30 are controlled and coordinated by a programmable controller 60 , shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3 .
- the controller 60 may be a programmed logic controller (PLC), or a general purpose microprocessor, such as a personal computer.
- PLC programmed logic controller
- Methods for programming the controller 60 to carry out the operational steps needed to operate the sorting system 10 in the manner described herein are well known to those skilled in the programming art.
- the operation of the sorting system is as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,773. Therefore, the following description will focus on the operation of the feeding stations.
- FIG. 4 A flow chart showing one mode of operation of the upper feed conveyors 40 A- 40 D of one of the feeding stations 20 is shown in FIG. 4 . Operation of the lower feed conveyors is similar and will not be described separately.
- FIG. 5 shows the feed conveyors 40 A- 40 D at a moment in time at which the particular packages shown have been processed to determine destination and dimension data, and are waiting to be loaded onto the tilt trays in accordance with the logic of FIG. 4 .
- the controller loads the oncoming trays from each of the feed conveyors 40 A- 40 D in turn, except when a package adjacent to the line of tilt trays on another aligned or downstream feed conveyor will also fit with a previously loaded package on one tilt tray.
- the package on feed conveyor 40 A adjacent to the tilt trays, and the width of that package, are referred to by the letter A, and the letters B, C, and D are similarly defined with reference to the other feed conveyors.
- This counter n refers to the tilt trays 25 passing through the feed station 20 .
- Tray T n is the tilt tray initially aligned with feed conveyors 40 A and 40 B.
- Tray T n+1 is the next upstream tray, and so on.
- the controller tests to see if the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40 A and 40 B adjacent to the tray T n add to less than or equal to a width threshold “Max.”
- Max is determined based on the width of the tilt trays, and preferably is somewhat less than the width of the trays. If the feed conveyors operate at a high speed, a relatively greater differential between the tray width and Max is needed to prevent bumping previously loaded packages off the tray. If the sum of the widths A+B is less than or equal to Max, at block 4 the conveyors 40 A and 40 B simultaneously load the awaiting packages onto tray T n .
- the conveyor 40 A loads a package onto tray T n and conveyor 40 B loads a package onto tray T n+1 .
- the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40 A and 40 C adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 12 the conveyor 40 C loads a package onto tray T n with the package from conveyor 40 A.
- the width of the trays is six units, and Max is selected to be 5 units.
- the feed direction dimension, or width, in units of the first three rows of packages on feed conveyors 40 A- 40 D are given in the following Table 1, which represents data stored in memory associated with the controller 60 .
- FIG. 6 and Table 3 demonstrate another scenario in which the method of the present invention may be applied to increase the capacity of the sorting system.
- the controller examines in its memory all the package dimensions in a selected number of rows.
- the controller loads the oncoming trays from each of the feed conveyors 40 A- 40 D in turn, except that it holds back a package adjacent to the line of tilt trays to wait for a complementary package on another feed conveyor to become available so that the two complementary packages can be loaded on one tilt tray.
- the package at feed conveyor 40 C/ 1 is held to be combined with the package initially at 40 A/ 2 .
- the tilt tray drive is operated to slow or pause the train of carriages 23 as they arrive adjacent to feed conveyors 40 which contain two successive packages whose total width is less than Max and which are bound for the same destination.
- the controller slows the carriage train only if the conditions for loading two packages are met.
- the controller then operates the feed conveyor to load both packages from that conveyor onto the adjacent tilt tray.
- the slowing or pausing of the tilt tray allows both packages from the same feed conveyor to securely land on the same tilt tray, whereas the second package might fall off the trailing edge of the tilt tray if the carriages were moving too fast.
- This alternative operating mode has the disadvantage that the slowing of the carriages tends to the throughput rate of the sorting system.
- the feeding station has only one feed conveyor, the net result of slowing only when it is possible to place two packages on the same tilt tray may be to increase the throughput rate.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 A second embodiment of a feeding system 80 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
- the feeding system 80 uses a different technique to determine when packages are complementary.
- An imaging camera 85 such as a CCD camera, is mounted over the line of tilt trays 25 between the aligned feed conveyors 40 A, 40 B and the aligned feed conveyors 40 C, 40 D.
- the camera 85 obtains an image of the tilt tray 25 after it has been loaded by feed conveyor 40 A and/or 40 B.
- the controller determines the footprint 87 of the previously loaded package or packages, as shown in FIG. 8, and the remaining area of the tray 25 .
- the scanners 45 on the feed conveyors 40 C and 40 D are imaging cameras which provide to the controller the footprint dimensions of the packages as they travel along the feed conveyor. By comparing the remaining available area of the tray 25 to the footprint of the packages waiting for loading at feed conveyors 40 C and 40 D, the controller determines whether one of the waiting packages can be loaded on the same tray.
- the controller may vary the longitudinal position at which a second package is loaded on a previously occupied tilt tray, so that the decision whether a tray can accommodate more than one package is not always limited by the combined widths of the packages.
- two packages both almost as wide as the tilt tray but having a combined “length” less than the length of the tilt tray, can be loaded adjacent to one another in the alignment shown in FIG. 8 .
- two packages with complementary widths may be placed in the configuration shown in FIG. 2 .
- the line of tilt trays may be slowed or paused at the feed conveyors in the embodiment of FIG. 7 .
- the weight of the packages measured by the load cell array 50 may also be used to determine whether two or more packages can be placed on a single tilt tray. According to this mode of operation, a maximum weight threshold for the trays is established, and when the dimensions of the trays permit their common loading, their combined weight must be equal to or less than the weight threshold before the controller will allow them to be loaded on the same tray.
- sorting systems utilizing the present invention enjoy an increased throughput rate by safely placing two or more packages on a single package conveying device when permitted by the relationship between the size of the packages and the size of the tray.
Abstract
A feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects within a single designated destination area of a sorting system to increase the throughput rate of the system. The disclosed sorting system includes a plurality of carriages movable under the control of a programmable controller between the loading and unloading stations of the sorting system, each carriage carrying a tilt tray. The geographic destination of each of the objects to be placed on a tray, as well as a dimension of each of the objects to be placed on a tray, is determined by an optical scanner and a measuring device. The controller uses the dimension information to determine whether more than one object having the same geographic destination may be placed on the same tray. The invention is adaptable for use with other types of sorting systems.
Description
The present invention relates to conveyor sorting systems and the automated sorting of objects, and more particularly relates to a feeding system for placing a plurality of objects on a single tray bound for the same geographic destination.
Daily, package delivery companies collect millions of packages from thousands of locations scattered over large geographical areas and transport them to sorting facilities for processing. After processing, the packages are carried to an equally large number of destinations. To meet the rigorous schedule of today's business environment while providing accurate deliveries of packages, sorting facilities are equipped with automated transfer systems whenever possible. These transfer systems must be fast, durable, easy to repair or replace, and provide gentle but accurate handling of each package. Furthermore, automatic sorting systems are often used in connection with handling product inventories, assembling ordered items for shipment, and delivering parts to locations where they are needed in manufacturing operations.
Parcel shipping companies now have sorting facilities equipped with automated sorting and transfer systems that provide significantly improved package handling compared to manual labor. Some of these known sorting systems tilt tray conveyor systems in which packages to be sorted are loaded on tilt trays. The trays are mounted on carriages that are driven in lines or trains past one or more loading stations at which packages are placed on the trays. The trays are then moved past a plurality of unloading stations each corresponding to a geographical destination. Typically, each package is loaded alone onto the first empty tilt tray as it passes the loading station and is unloaded at an unloading station corresponding with the package's geographic destination. Examples of tilt tray sorting systems are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,570,773 and 5,388,681. Other systems remove packages from trays or conveyors by pushing them off laterally or diverting them with stationary or pivoting barriers. Others use live roller beds to discharge the packages. All of these systems typically discharge one package at a time. Further examples of sorting systems may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,655,643; 5,868,239; 5,284,252; 5,441,141; PCT Publication No. WO98/08759; PCT Publication No. WO98/31614; PCT Publication No. WO98/31615; PCT Publication No. WO98/33729; and PCT Publication No. WO98/49076.
The capacity of an automated sorting system depends on the number of trays, the number of loading and unloading stations, and the speed of the equipment. During holiday seasons when package volume is high, the capacity of the sorting system can become a limiting factor in the delivery company's ability to make promised delivery deadlines. However, it may not be practical to increase the number of trays, the number of loading and unloading stations, or the speed of the system. For example, the size of the sorting facility may be limited by the available space.
The tilt trays of these known sorting systems are sized for receiving the largest of a variety of differently sized packages. Only in rare circumstances does a single package require the entire surface of a single tray. Thus, the carrying capacity of the tilt trays generally is under-utilized.
Accordingly, in order to increase the throughput rate of automated sorting systems, there is a need for a loading system for placing a plurality of objects bound for the same geographic destination on a single tray.
The present invention seeks to increase the capacity of automated sorting systems without increasing the size or speed of the system. This object is accomplished in the present invention by providing a feeding system and method that can place a plurality of packages bound for the same geographic destination on a single tray of an automated sorting system.
Generally described, the present invention provides a feeding system for placing a plurality of objects on a conveying device of a sorting system adapted to transport and distribute a series of objects from loading stations to unloading stations, comprising a data input device; a programmable controller connected to receive from the data input device data indicating a destination and a dimension of each of the objects; a conveying device movable under the control of the programmable controller between loading and unloading stations of the sorting system; and a feeding station adjacent to a path of the conveying device, including one or more feed conveyors positioned to load the objects onto designated destination areas of the conveying device; the controller being responsive to the destination and dimension data to determine when two or more objects sharing a common destination will fit within a single designated destination area of the conveying device, and to operate the one or more feed conveyors to load the two or more objects onto the designated destination area.
In a preferred embodiment, the loading of the second of the two objects onto the designated destination area is done by a second downstream feed conveyor while continuing to move the conveying device. This approach maintains the speed of the system.
The destination data may refer to any location. For example, it may refer to a geographic location, such as a zip code area, or a location within the sorting system, such as a particular unloading station or conveyor, or a place within a shipping company's delivery system, such as a hub facility, or a transportation device, such as a tractor trailer, rail car, or local delivery vehicle.
Optionally, the controller may, responsive to destination and dimension data, determine when three objects sharing a common destination will fit within one designated destination area of the conveying device, and operate the feed conveyors to load the three objects onto the designated destination area. Preferably, the third object is loaded by a third feed conveyor.
In a preferred embodiment, the sorting system is a tilt tray sorter, and the designated destination area of the conveying device comprises a tilt tray. The measured dimension of the objects in this embodiment may be a width of each of the objects in a feed direction in which the object moves during loading, and the controller may compare the combined widths of the objects to the width of the tray to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit on the tray. The data input device may include sensors operative to measure the width between the leading and trailing edges of objects as they move on the feeding conveyor, and an optical scanner positioned to read destination indicia affixed to the objects. The optical scanner may be, for example, a CCD camera or a laser bar code scanner. In a less preferred embodiment, the data input device may be an interface for human input of destination and dimension data, such as a keyboard or a voice recognition device.
In the alternative, an imaging scanner can be positioned to obtain an image of the tilt tray after a first package has been loaded. The controller then can determine a first footprint of the first object on the tilt tray, and a second footprint of the second object still on its feed conveyor, and compare a combined footprint of the objects to a footprint threshold to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit on the tray.
In a further alternative, the data input device may include a scale connected to the programmable controller for determining the weight of each of the objects to be placed within the designated destination area, the programmable controller may compare a combined weight of the objects to an acceptable weight threshold prior to loading the second object. An example of such a scale is a plurality of load cells positioned underneath a feed conveyor.
The present invention also provides a method for placing a plurality of objects on a conveying device of a sorting system adapted to transport and distribute a series of objects from loading stations to unloading stations of the sorting system, comprising the steps of reading destination information from the objects; measuring a dimension of the objects; at a first loading station, loading a first object onto the conveying device within a designated destination area; determining whether a second object having the same destination as the first object will fit within the designated destination area with the first object; and if the second object will fit within the designated destination area with the first object, loading the second object onto the designated destination area. In a preferred embodiment, the second object is loaded at a second loading station. In the preferred embodiment, the method may include programming a controller to store destination and dimension information about a plurality of objects waiting to be loaded onto the sorting system, and to coordinate the loading sequence of the objects from the loading stations to place more than one object within a designated destination area when possible, thereby to optimize utilization of the capacity of the sorting system.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, when taken in conjunction with the drawings and the appended claims.
FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of an automated sorting system embodying a feeding system of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an isolated pictorial view of a tilt tray holding two packages.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of the control circuit of the sorting system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a mode of operation of the feeding system of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing relative starting positions of one group of packages.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing relative starting positions of another group of packages.
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic top view of a second embodiment of a feeding system according to the invention, in which an image of a first tray is obtained after initial loading.
FIG. 8 is an isolated pictorial view of a package lifted away from a tray to show the footprint of the package.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a sorting system 10 including a feeding station 20 embodying the present invention. The invention will be disclosed in the context of a tilt tray sorting system of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,773, which is incorporated herein by reference. The sorting system 10 includes a monorail 22 and a line or train of carriages 23 mounted for travel along the monorail 22, which forms a closed loop in the preferred form shown. The carriages 23 each carry either an upper tilt tray 25 or a lower tilt tray 27, and are driven along the monorail in one direction. The position of the carriages is tracked with one or more position encoders 28 (FIG. 3) in a known manner. As they traverse the monorail, the tilt trays pass one or more of the feeding stations 20, where they receive packages P, and a plurality of unloading stations 30, where the trays are tilted in a known manner to discharge the packages onto an upper chute 32 or a lower chute 33.
The invention also can be embodied in a single level tilt tray sorting system, and in other types of sorting systems in which individual objects can be identified and routed to one of at least two destinations. For example, some carriage sorting systems discharge objects using on-board powered rollers or adjacent movable arms that push objects off the carriages. Other sorting systems place objects in separated areas of a conveyor belt, and divert the objects from the conveyor belt at the desired destination. Any sorting system that places individual objects in a designated destination area for sorting can benefit from the present invention, which places two or more objects bound for the same destination in the same designated destination area.
At the feeding station 20, a plurality of upper feed conveyors 40, designated 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D are positioned to load packages P onto upper level tilt trays 25. Similarly, a plurality of lower feed conveyors 42 are positioned to load packages onto lower tilt trays 27. The trays 25 and 27 preferably move continuously through the feeding station which loads them while they are moving, but, in the alternative, the trays may pause at each feed conveyor and index between them.
The terms “conveyor” and “conveying device” when used herein means any device capable of conveying objects.
Several arrangements of the feed conveyors 40 are possible. FIG. 1 shows feed conveyors 40A and 40B positioned directly across from each other, and feed conveyor 40C positioned a distance downstream from conveyor 40A. FIG. 5 shows diagrammatically a preferred configuration in which conveyors 40A and 40B are directly across from each other, and conveyors 40C and 40D are directly across from each other and immediately adjacent to conveyors 40A and 40B, respectively. The feed conveyors that are directly across from one another may load different trays at different times, or the same tray at the same time. As described below, the downstream feed conveyors, such as 40C and 40D in FIG. 5, can load the same tray at the same time, load trays individually, or add a package to a tray previously loaded with a package by an upstream feed conveyor.
An optical scanner 45, such as a CCD camera or a laser bar code scanner, is mounted above each feed conveyor 40 and 42. As each package passes beneath the scanner 45, data pertaining to the package's ultimate (or intermediate) destination is read from the surface of the package (usually from a label). An image obtained by the scanner 45 also may be analyzed to determine dimensions of the package. However, in the embodiment shown, a phototransmitter/photocell pair 47 a/48 a is mounted so that the beam from the phototransmitter passes above the upper feed conveyor 40 in the path of packages traveling toward the tilt trays. A similar pair 47 b/48 b projects a beam above the lower feed conveyor 42. The speed of the feed conveyors is known. By measuring the time period from the time at which the leading edge of a package breaks the beam until the tailing edge clears the beam, the dimension of the package in a direction along the feed conveyor can be calculated. In the alternative, a roller sensitive to weight may be incorporated into the feed conveyor and monitored to provide the time taken by a package to traverse the roller, and the same dimension calculated based on the speed of the conveyor. This dimension in the feed direction will be referred to arbitrarily herein as the “width” of the package, even though sometimes it may be the longer dimension of the package. As described below, the width of the packages will be compared with the width of the tilt trays in determining whether more than one package will fit onto a tray. Such groups of packages that will fit onto one tray are sometimes referred to herein as complementary packages.
Each feed conveyor 40, 42 also has an associated load cell array 50 a, 50 b, respectively, positioned beneath the upper run of the conveyor to measure the weight of the packages in a known manner. A conventional position encoder 52 tracks the movement of the feed conveyor beginning at the position of the scanner 45. Thus, upon identifying a particular package at the scanner 45, its position on the feed conveyor and then along the monorail 22 is known at all times.
The movement of the carriages 23, the operation of the feeding stations 20, and the operation of the unloading stations 30 are controlled and coordinated by a programmable controller 60, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3. The controller 60 may be a programmed logic controller (PLC), or a general purpose microprocessor, such as a personal computer. Methods for programming the controller 60 to carry out the operational steps needed to operate the sorting system 10 in the manner described herein are well known to those skilled in the programming art. Once the packages are loaded onto particular tilt trays, the operation of the sorting system is as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,773. Therefore, the following description will focus on the operation of the feeding stations.
A flow chart showing one mode of operation of the upper feed conveyors 40A-40D of one of the feeding stations 20 is shown in FIG. 4. Operation of the lower feed conveyors is similar and will not be described separately. FIG. 5 shows the feed conveyors 40A-40D at a moment in time at which the particular packages shown have been processed to determine destination and dimension data, and are waiting to be loaded onto the tilt trays in accordance with the logic of FIG. 4. In this mode of operation, the controller loads the oncoming trays from each of the feed conveyors 40A-40D in turn, except when a package adjacent to the line of tilt trays on another aligned or downstream feed conveyor will also fit with a previously loaded package on one tilt tray.
With reference to FIG. 4, the package on feed conveyor 40A adjacent to the tilt trays, and the width of that package, are referred to by the letter A, and the letters B, C, and D are similarly defined with reference to the other feed conveyors.
At block 1 of the flow chart of FIG. 4, the controller initially sets a counter n equal to −3, and then at block 2 immediately sets n equal to n+4, that is, n=1. This counter n refers to the tilt trays 25 passing through the feed station 20. Tray Tn is the tilt tray initially aligned with feed conveyors 40A and 40B. Tray Tn+1 is the next upstream tray, and so on. When n corresponds to the last tray prior to T1 again reaching the feeding station, the process can be restarted at block 1. At block 3, the controller tests to see if the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40A and 40B adjacent to the tray Tn add to less than or equal to a width threshold “Max.” Max is determined based on the width of the tilt trays, and preferably is somewhat less than the width of the trays. If the feed conveyors operate at a high speed, a relatively greater differential between the tray width and Max is needed to prevent bumping previously loaded packages off the tray. If the sum of the widths A+B is less than or equal to Max, at block 4 the conveyors 40A and 40B simultaneously load the awaiting packages onto tray Tn. Next, at block 5, the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40C and 40D adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 6, the conveyors 40C and 40D simultaneously load the awaiting packages onto tray Tn+1. The controller sets n=n+2 at block 7 and returns to block 3, all of the packages initially adjacent to the line of trays having been loaded. The process then will begin again, with tray T3 adjacent to conveyors 40A and 40B.
If the test of C+D at block 5 is negative, then at block 8 the feed conveyor 40C loads a package onto tray Tn+1, feed conveyor 40D loads a package onto tray Tn+2, and the controller at block 9 sets n=n+3 and returns to block 3. The process then will begin again, with tray T4 adjacent to conveyors 40A and 40B.
If the test of B+A at block 3 is negative, then at block 10 the conveyor 40A loads a package onto tray Tn and conveyor 40B loads a package onto tray Tn+1. Then at block 11 the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40A and 40C adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 12 the conveyor 40C loads a package onto tray Tn with the package from conveyor 40A. Next, at block 13, the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40B and 40D adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, the feed conveyor 40D loads a package onto tray Tn+1, with a package from conveyor 40B, and the controller at block 7 sets n=n+2 and returns to block 3.
If the test of B+D at block 13 is negative, then at block 15 the feed conveyor 40D loads a package onto tray Tn+2, and the controller at block 9 sets n=n+3 and returns to block 3.
If the test of C+A at block 11 is negative, at block 16 the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40A and 40D adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 17 the conveyor 40D loads a package onto tray Tn with the package from conveyor 40A. Next, at block 18, the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40B and 40C adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 19 the feed conveyor 40C loads a package onto tray Tn+1, with a package from conveyor 40B, and the controller at block 7 sets n=n+2 and returns to block 3.
If the test of B+C at block 18 is negative, then at block 20 the feed conveyor 40C loads a package onto tray Tn+2, and the controller at block 9 sets n=n+3 and returns to block 3.
If the test of D+A t block 16 is negative, then at block 21 the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40C and 40B adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 22 the feed conveyor 40C loads a package onto tray Tn+1, with a package from conveyor 40B, feed conveyor 40D loads a package onto tray Tn+2, and the controller at block 23 sets n=n+3 and returns to block 3.
If the test of C+B at block 21 is negative, at block 24 the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40D and 40B adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 25 the feed conveyor 40D loads a package onto tray Tn+1, with a package from conveyor 40B, feed conveyor 40C loads a package onto tray Tn+2, and the controller at block 23 sets n=n+3 and returns to block 3.
If the test of D+B at block 24 is negative, at block 26 the controller tests whether the measured widths of the packages on conveyors 40C and 40D adjacent to the line of tilt trays add to less than or equal to the width threshold “Max.” If so, at block 27, the conveyors 40C and 40D simultaneously load the awaiting packages onto tray Tn+2.and the controller sets n=n+3 at block 23 and returns to block 3.
If the test of D+C at block 26 is negative, then at block 29 the feed conveyor 40C loads a package onto tray Tn+2, feed conveyor 40D loads a package onto tray Tn+3, and the controller returns to block 2, setting n=n+4. The process then will begin again, with tray T5 adjacent to conveyors 40A and 40B.
In the example shown in FIG. 5, the width of the trays is six units, and Max is selected to be 5 units. The feed direction dimension, or width, in units of the first three rows of packages on feed conveyors 40A-40D are given in the following Table 1, which represents data stored in memory associated with the controller 60.
TABLE 1 | |||||
| 40B | |
40D | ||
Row |
1 | 2.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 |
|
2.5 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 2.0 |
|
3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
The results of applying the algorithm shown in FIG. 4 to the situation shown in FIG. 5 and Table 1 are represented in Table 2 as follows, with the contents identifying cells (column/row) in Table 1:
TABLE 2 | ||
Tilt Tray Tn | Contents | Total Width (units) |
|
40A/1 + 40D/1 | 5 |
|
40B/1 | 4 |
|
40C/l | 5 |
|
40A/2 + 40C/2 | 5 |
|
40B/2 | 5 |
|
40B/3 + 40D/2 | 5 |
|
40A/3 | 4 |
|
40C/3 | 3 |
|
40D/3 | 4 |
In this example, twelve packages are fit onto nine tilt trays, increasing the capacity of the sorting system by 25%.
FIG. 6 and Table 3 demonstrate another scenario in which the method of the present invention may be applied to increase the capacity of the sorting system. By modifying the logic of FIG. 4, the results shown in Table 4 can be obtained. In the modified mode of operation, the controller examines in its memory all the package dimensions in a selected number of rows. The controller loads the oncoming trays from each of the feed conveyors 40A-40D in turn, except that it holds back a package adjacent to the line of tilt trays to wait for a complementary package on another feed conveyor to become available so that the two complementary packages can be loaded on one tilt tray. In this example, the package at feed conveyor 40C/1 is held to be combined with the package initially at 40A/2.
TABLE 3 | |||||
| 40B | |
40D | ||
Row |
1 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 |
|
2.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 |
|
4.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 |
TABLE 4 | ||
Tilt Tray Tn | Contents | Total Width (units) |
|
40A/1 | 5 |
|
40B/1 | 4 |
|
40D/1 | 5 |
|
40A/2 + 40C/1 | 4 |
|
40B/2 | 5 |
|
40C/2 + 40D/2 | 5 |
|
40A/3 + 40D/3 | 4 |
|
40B/3 + 40C/3 | 3 |
In this example, twelve packages are fit onto eight tilt trays, increasing the capacity of the tilt tray sorter by 33%.
In this example, the tilt tray drive is operated to slow or pause the train of carriages 23 as they arrive adjacent to feed conveyors 40 which contain two successive packages whose total width is less than Max and which are bound for the same destination. The controller slows the carriage train only if the conditions for loading two packages are met. The controller then operates the feed conveyor to load both packages from that conveyor onto the adjacent tilt tray. The slowing or pausing of the tilt tray allows both packages from the same feed conveyor to securely land on the same tilt tray, whereas the second package might fall off the trailing edge of the tilt tray if the carriages were moving too fast. This alternative operating mode has the disadvantage that the slowing of the carriages tends to the throughput rate of the sorting system. However, if the feeding station has only one feed conveyor, the net result of slowing only when it is possible to place two packages on the same tilt tray may be to increase the throughput rate.
A second embodiment of a feeding system 80 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The feeding system 80 uses a different technique to determine when packages are complementary. An imaging camera 85, such as a CCD camera, is mounted over the line of tilt trays 25 between the aligned feed conveyors 40A,40B and the aligned feed conveyors 40C,40D. The camera 85 obtains an image of the tilt tray 25 after it has been loaded by feed conveyor 40A and/or 40B. Using conventional image processing techniques, the controller determines the footprint 87 of the previously loaded package or packages, as shown in FIG. 8, and the remaining area of the tray 25. Also, the scanners 45 on the feed conveyors 40C and 40D are imaging cameras which provide to the controller the footprint dimensions of the packages as they travel along the feed conveyor. By comparing the remaining available area of the tray 25 to the footprint of the packages waiting for loading at feed conveyors 40C and 40D, the controller determines whether one of the waiting packages can be loaded on the same tray.
In accordance with the feeding system of FIG. 7, the controller may vary the longitudinal position at which a second package is loaded on a previously occupied tilt tray, so that the decision whether a tray can accommodate more than one package is not always limited by the combined widths of the packages. For example, two packages, both almost as wide as the tilt tray but having a combined “length” less than the length of the tilt tray, can be loaded adjacent to one another in the alignment shown in FIG. 8. Of course, two packages with complementary widths may be placed in the configuration shown in FIG. 2. To facilitate more precise placement of the packages, the line of tilt trays may be slowed or paused at the feed conveyors in the embodiment of FIG. 7.
In a modification of either of the described embodiments of the invention, the weight of the packages measured by the load cell array 50 may also be used to determine whether two or more packages can be placed on a single tilt tray. According to this mode of operation, a maximum weight threshold for the trays is established, and when the dimensions of the trays permit their common loading, their combined weight must be equal to or less than the weight threshold before the controller will allow them to be loaded on the same tray.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that sorting systems utilizing the present invention enjoy an increased throughput rate by safely placing two or more packages on a single package conveying device when permitted by the relationship between the size of the packages and the size of the tray.
While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A sorting system for the automated sorting of objects comprising
a conveying device for transporting and distributing a series of objects from at least one feeding station to a plurality of unloading stations and having a plurality of designated destination areas thereon,
a feeding system at said feeding station for loading objects onto said designated destination areas of said conveying device,
a data input device for indicating a destination and a dimension of each of said objects to be loaded by said feeding system, and
a programmable controller for said conveying device and said feeding system and being connected to said data input device for receipt of said destination and dimension data therefrom, said controller being responsive to said destination and dimension data to determine when two or more objects sharing a common destination will fit within a single destination area of said conveying device and causing said feeding system to load said two or more objects onto said single destination area of said conveying device.
2. The sorting system of claim 1, wherein said feeding station comprises two or more feed conveyors positioned to load objects onto said conveying device, said controller being responsive to said destination and dimension data to operate said feed conveyors to load two or more objects onto said designated destination area, one or more of said objects from each of said feeding conveyors.
3. The sorting system of claim 1, wherein said designated destination area of said conveying device comprises a tilt tray, and wherein said dimension of the objects is a width of each of the objects in a feed direction in which said object moves during loading, and wherein said controller compares the combined width of the objects to the width of said tray to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit on said try.
4. The sorting system of claim 1, wherein said data input device includes sensors operative to measure the width between the leading and trailing edges of objects as the objects move on said feeding conveyor.
5. The sorting system of claim 1, wherein said data input device includes an optical scanner positioned to read destination indicia affixed to the objects.
6. The sorting system of claim 1, wherein said designated destination area of said conveying device comprises a tilt tray, and wherein said controller defines a first footprint of the first object on said tray, and a second footprint of the second object, and compares a combined footprint of said objects to a footprint threshold to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit on said tray.
7. The sorting system of claim 1 further comprising a scale connected to said programmable controller for determining the weight of each of the objects to be placed within said designated destination area, said programmable controller comparing a combined weight of said objects to an acceptable weight threshold prior to loading said second object.
8. The feeding system of claim 7 wherein said scale comprises a plurality of load cells positioned underneath said feed conveyor.
9. A method for placing a plurality of objects on a conveying device of a sorting system adapted to transport and distribute a series of objects from loading stations to unloading stations of the sorting system, said method comprising the steps of:
reading destination information from said objects;
measuring a dimension of said objects;
at a first loading station, loading a first object onto said conveying device within a designated destination area;
determining whether a second object having the same destination as said first object will fit within said designated destination area with said first object; and
if said second object will fit within said designated destination area with said first object, loading said second object onto said designated destination area.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of loading said second object occurs at a second loading station while continuing to move said conveying device.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of reading a destination and measuring a dimension of a third object, determining whether said third object has the same destination as said first object and will fit within said designated destination area with said first and second objects, and, if so, loading said third object onto said conveying device in said designated destination area with said first and second objects.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said step of loading said second object occurs at a second loading station and said step of loading said third object occurs at a third loading station while continuing to move said conveying device.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein said designated destination area of said conveying device comprises a tilt tray, and wherein said step of measuring a dimension comprises measuring a width of each of the objects in a feed direction in which said object moves during said loading step, and said step of determining whether an object will fit on said tray with another object comprises comparing the combined width of the objects to the width of said tray, the loading step occurring when the combined width is no greater than the width of said tray.
14. The method of claim 9 wherein said designated destination area of said conveying device comprises a tilt tray, and wherein said step of determining a dimension comprises defining a first footprint of the first object on said tray, and said step of determining whether an object will fit on said tray with another object comprises defining a second footprint of the second object and defining a combined footprint from the first and second footprints, and comparing the combined footprint to an acceptable footprint threshold based on the area of said tray.
15. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of determining the weight of said first and second objects, and comparing a combined weight of said objects to an acceptable weight threshold prior to loading said second object.
16. A feeding system for use with a sorting system of the type having a plurality of trays movable under the control of a programmable controller to transport and distribute a series of objects from at least one feeding station to a plurality of unloading stations, said feeding system comprising:
a scanner adapted to read address information from said objects;
an optical sensor adapted to determine a width of said objects in a feeding direction;
said scanner and said optical sensor being connected to provide to said programmable controller data indicating a destination and a dimension of each of said objects; and
at least two feed conveyors positioned to load said objects onto said trays;
said controller being responsive to said destination and dimension data to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit within a single tray, and to operate said feed conveyors to load said two objects onto said single tray, one from each of said feeding conveyors.
17. A feeding system for use with a sorting system of the type having a conveying device movable under the control of a programmable controller to transport and distribute a series of objects from at least one feeding station to a plurality of unloading stations, said feeding system comprising:
a data input device connected to provide to said programmable controller data indicating a destination and a dimension of each of said objects;
and at least two feed conveyors positioned at said feeding station to load said objects onto designated destination areas of said conveying device;
said controller being responsive to said destination and dimension data to determine when two objects sharing a common destination will fit within a single designated destination area of said conveying device, and to operate said feed conveyors to load said two objects onto said designated destination area, one from each of said feeding conveyors.
18. The feeding system of claim 17, further comprising a third feed conveyor positioned to load objects onto said conveying device, said controller being responsive to said destination and dimension data to determine when three objects sharing a common destination will fit within said designated destination area of said conveying device, and to operate said feed conveyors to load said three objects onto said designated destination area, one from each of said feeding conveyors.
19. A sorting system, comprising:
a conveying device movable between at least one loading station and a plurality of unloading stations;
said loading station including a feeding system for placing a plurality of objects on said conveying device, comprising:
a data input device;
a programmable controller connected to receive from said data input device data indicating a destination and a dimension of each of said objects; and
one or more feed conveyors positioned to load said objects onto designated destination areas of said conveying device;
said controller being responsive to said destination and dimension data to determine when two or more objects sharing a common destination will fit within a single designated destination area of said conveying device, and to operate said one or more feed conveyors to load said two or more objects onto said designated destination area.
20. The feeding system of claim 19, wherein said feeding system comprises two or more feed conveyors positioned to load objects onto said conveying device, said controller being responsive to said destination and dimension data to operate said feed conveyors to load two or more objects onto said designated destination area, one or more of said objects from each of said feeding conveyors.
Priority Applications (8)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/368,757 US6323452B1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 1999-08-05 | Feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects on a tray of an automated sorting system |
ES00952457T ES2258978T3 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2000-08-03 | CLASSIFYING MACHINE WITH TILTING TRAYS. |
PCT/US2000/021209 WO2001010574A1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2000-08-03 | Tilt tray sorter |
DE60026535T DE60026535T2 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2000-08-03 | SORTIER WITH TIP |
JP2001515076A JP3782349B2 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2000-08-03 | Inclined tray sorting device |
EP00952457A EP1200205B1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2000-08-03 | Tilt tray sorter |
CA002378356A CA2378356C (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2000-08-03 | Tilt tray sorter |
AT00952457T ATE319523T1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 2000-08-03 | SORTER WITH TILTING TRAY |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/368,757 US6323452B1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 1999-08-05 | Feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects on a tray of an automated sorting system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6323452B1 true US6323452B1 (en) | 2001-11-27 |
Family
ID=23452605
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/368,757 Expired - Lifetime US6323452B1 (en) | 1999-08-05 | 1999-08-05 | Feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects on a tray of an automated sorting system |
Country Status (8)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6323452B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1200205B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP3782349B2 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE319523T1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2378356C (en) |
DE (1) | DE60026535T2 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2258978T3 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001010574A1 (en) |
Cited By (60)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6554123B2 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2003-04-29 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | High speed parcel sorter |
US20030188511A1 (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for automatically packaging products |
US6666246B2 (en) * | 2002-05-02 | 2003-12-23 | Les Produits Gilbert, Inc. | Automated planer machine |
US6688459B1 (en) * | 2001-03-14 | 2004-02-10 | Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc. | Article sorting system and method |
US20040031732A1 (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2004-02-19 | Whitnable B. Daniel | Methods and apparatus for a non-discrete sortation process |
US20040065596A1 (en) * | 2002-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | Hanson Bruce H. | Method for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process |
US20050015240A1 (en) * | 2001-10-29 | 2005-01-20 | Appleby Stephen C | Machine translation |
US6847860B2 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2005-01-25 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Profiler system for mail articles |
US20050167242A1 (en) * | 2004-01-28 | 2005-08-04 | E.C.H. Will Gmbh | Method and arrangement as well as apparatus for transverse conveyance of reams |
US20050288140A1 (en) * | 2004-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | Pippin James M | System and apparatus for driving a track mounted robot |
US20060233577A1 (en) * | 2005-04-13 | 2006-10-19 | Avision Inc. | Automatic document feeder capable of sorting originals |
US20070083443A1 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2007-04-12 | System Applications Engineering, Inc | Object loading system and method |
US20070095428A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-05-03 | Les Produits Gilbert, Inc. | Planing heads assembly for an automated planing machine |
US20080164074A1 (en) * | 2006-08-09 | 2008-07-10 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Apparatus and method for measuring the weight of items on a conveyor |
WO2008145559A1 (en) * | 2007-05-31 | 2008-12-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Control device, sorting system and sorting method for goods |
US20090127074A1 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2009-05-21 | Alessandro Cavallo | Conveying device comprising at least one slide for piece goods, and method for stacking piece goods in a container |
US7547174B1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2009-06-16 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | Method of removing a flat article from a holder |
US20090242465A1 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2009-10-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and arrangement for synchronizing the distribution information of sorting stock with the information relating to a sorter element loaded with this sorting stock |
ES2340019A1 (en) * | 2010-02-15 | 2010-05-27 | Cenker Robotics, S.L. | Installation for automatic repositioning of commercial products and replacement procedure (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US8113334B2 (en) | 2004-04-29 | 2012-02-14 | Span Tech Llc | Matrix sorter system |
WO2013028378A2 (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2013-02-28 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Weighing system using a conveyor belt with load cells |
US8857625B1 (en) * | 2013-05-31 | 2014-10-14 | Jesus R. Oropeza | Weighing and sorting system and method |
US9146146B2 (en) | 2011-10-14 | 2015-09-29 | Purolator Inc. | System, method, and computer readable medium for determining the weight of items in a non-singulated and non-spaced arrangement on a conveyor system |
US20160280472A1 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2016-09-29 | Joseph Porat | Stacked tilt tray and cross-belt sorting system |
US9476757B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2016-10-25 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Resonant-circuit weighing system for a conveyor belt |
US20180065156A1 (en) * | 2016-09-08 | 2018-03-08 | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Automated Tote Routing System and Methods |
US20180127219A1 (en) * | 2016-11-08 | 2018-05-10 | Berkshire Grey Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects |
US10087022B2 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2018-10-02 | BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG | Method and device for synchronized channeling of piece goods on a sorting conveyor |
US10191001B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2019-01-29 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Conveyor-belt system for measuring conditions that vary the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit |
US10290170B2 (en) * | 2017-01-17 | 2019-05-14 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Apparatus and method for stacking banknotes, and system for packaging banknotes |
US20190248512A1 (en) * | 2016-10-24 | 2019-08-15 | Beumer Group A/S | Method of claiming aircraft baggage |
US10576621B2 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2020-03-03 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated mobile matrix bins |
US10583986B2 (en) | 2018-05-04 | 2020-03-10 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing stations |
US10583553B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2020-03-10 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including an auto-shuttle system |
US10597236B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2020-03-24 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Capacitively coupled conveyer measuring system |
US10611021B2 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2020-04-07 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated mobile matrix carriers |
US10621402B2 (en) | 2015-09-11 | 2020-04-14 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Robotic systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects |
US10625305B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2020-04-21 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic processing of objects |
US10632610B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2020-04-28 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including a zone gantry system |
US10646991B2 (en) | 2017-03-24 | 2020-05-12 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing |
US10730077B2 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2020-08-04 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Perception systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects |
US10730078B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2020-08-04 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic sortation of objects |
US10792706B2 (en) | 2017-04-24 | 2020-10-06 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing using object movement redistribution |
US10875057B2 (en) | 2016-12-06 | 2020-12-29 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing for the processing of objects in vehicles |
US10894674B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2021-01-19 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including transport vehicles |
US10913612B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2021-02-09 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Discontinuous grid system for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US10913615B2 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2021-02-09 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing |
CN112371521A (en) * | 2020-10-15 | 2021-02-19 | 长泰县捷顺速递有限公司 | High-efficient operation equipment of express delivery |
US10974913B1 (en) | 2019-11-07 | 2021-04-13 | Berne Apparel Company | Tilting tray products sorting apparatus |
US11055504B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-07-06 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using a vacuum roller with one or more object processing systems |
US11080496B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-08-03 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using vacuum diverts with one or more object processing systems |
US11126807B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-09-21 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including space efficient distribution stations and automated output processing |
US11200390B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-12-14 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using drop conveyors with one or more object processing systems |
US11205059B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-12-21 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using conveyor transfer with one or more object processing systems |
US11301654B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2022-04-12 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for limiting induction of objects to one or more object processing systems |
US11373134B2 (en) | 2018-10-23 | 2022-06-28 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic processing of objects with data verification |
US11390459B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2022-07-19 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11416695B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2022-08-16 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for distributing induction of objects to a plurality of object processing systems |
US11472633B2 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2022-10-18 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including semi-autonomous stations and automated output processing |
US11752521B2 (en) | 2019-08-08 | 2023-09-12 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for sorting objects to large numbers of orders |
Families Citing this family (22)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2005505478A (en) * | 2001-10-09 | 2005-02-24 | ドイチェ ポスト アーゲー | Postal delivery transportation method and postal delivery storage device |
ITTO20030577A1 (en) | 2003-07-25 | 2005-01-26 | Elsag Spa | PACKAGING SYSTEM AND POSTAL SEQUENCE |
NL1027227C2 (en) * | 2004-10-12 | 2006-04-13 | Vanderlande Ind Nederland | Method and system for sorting products according to orders therefor. |
IS2320B (en) | 2006-01-23 | 2007-11-15 | Valka Ehf. | Devices for classifying objects |
EP1978810A2 (en) * | 2006-01-23 | 2008-10-15 | Valka Ehf | An article distribution apparatus |
EP2295155A1 (en) | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-16 | ELSAG DATAMAT S.p.A. | Vertical sorting machine for objects, in particular mail |
CA2850397A1 (en) * | 2011-09-30 | 2013-04-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Sorting apparatus for sorting piece goods |
FR2996788B1 (en) * | 2012-10-11 | 2014-10-24 | Solystic | PACKAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND LOGISTIC PACKAGE PROCESSING CENTER |
WO2016139611A2 (en) | 2015-03-02 | 2016-09-09 | Valka Ehf | Apparatus for processing and grading food articles and related methods |
US11259531B2 (en) | 2015-03-02 | 2022-03-01 | Valka Ehf | Apparatus for processing and grading food articles and related methods |
US11357237B2 (en) | 2015-03-02 | 2022-06-14 | Valka Ehf | Apparatus for processing and grading food articles and related methods |
CN105057219B (en) * | 2015-07-22 | 2018-11-27 | 杭州亚美利嘉科技有限公司 | Wrap up go-no-go system and method |
SG11201805623WA (en) | 2016-01-11 | 2018-07-30 | Opex Corp | Material handling apparatus with delivery vehicles |
SG11201809314UA (en) | 2016-05-03 | 2018-11-29 | Opex Corp | Material handling apparatus and method for sorting items using a dynamically configurable sorting array |
US10639678B2 (en) | 2016-05-03 | 2020-05-05 | Opex Corporation | Material handling apparatus and method for automatic and manual sorting of items using a dynamically configurable sorting array |
AU2017308144B2 (en) * | 2016-08-12 | 2019-05-23 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Object sensing and handling system and associated methods |
ES2959538T3 (en) | 2017-08-15 | 2024-02-26 | Tompkins Robotics Inc | System and method to classify articles using mobile sorting platforms |
US10899542B2 (en) | 2017-08-15 | 2021-01-26 | Tompkins International | Mobile sorter platforms and method for sorting articles |
FR3071753B1 (en) * | 2017-10-03 | 2019-09-27 | Solystic | ARCHITECTURE OF A SORTING CENTER COMPRISING A LOOP CONVEYOR |
GB201906418D0 (en) | 2019-05-07 | 2019-06-19 | Valka Ehf | Conveyor system and method |
JP2021134028A (en) * | 2020-02-26 | 2021-09-13 | 株式会社東芝 | Article transport classifier, article classification system and control server |
EP4108604A1 (en) * | 2021-06-24 | 2022-12-28 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Loading of transport containers of a conveyor system, in particular of an airport baggage conveyor, with variable size items |
Citations (53)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3034665A (en) | 1958-05-22 | 1962-05-15 | Speaker Sortation Systems Inc | Conveyor system |
US3436968A (en) | 1965-02-11 | 1969-04-08 | Fairbanks Morse Inc | Processing control system |
US3485339A (en) | 1967-12-11 | 1969-12-23 | Fairbank Morse Inc | Article spacing system |
US3515254A (en) | 1968-08-27 | 1970-06-02 | Leo A Gary | Conveyor system having computer for finding the centers of objects being conveyed |
US3531002A (en) | 1969-07-15 | 1970-09-29 | Triax Co | Automatic storage apparatus |
US3581071A (en) | 1969-04-10 | 1971-05-25 | Chesapeake & Ohio Railway | Train length measuring device |
US3817368A (en) | 1972-09-08 | 1974-06-18 | American Chain & Cable Co | Automatic loading system |
US3822009A (en) | 1973-02-01 | 1974-07-02 | Eastman Kodak Co | Item transporting system |
US4089404A (en) | 1976-09-29 | 1978-05-16 | A-T-O, Inc. | Tilting tray apparatus |
US4256434A (en) | 1977-12-02 | 1981-03-17 | Lindemann Maschinenfabrik Gmbh | Method of loading bales on to transport vehicles |
US4419384A (en) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-12-06 | Armstrong World Industries, Inc. | Apparatus and process for ultrasonically identifying and coating articles having differing characteristics |
US4557386A (en) | 1983-06-27 | 1985-12-10 | Cochlea Corporation | System to measure geometric and electromagnetic characteristics of objects |
FR2576528A1 (en) | 1985-01-30 | 1986-08-01 | Hotchkiss Brandt Sogeme | Processing method for the separating of objects |
US4604704A (en) | 1984-09-10 | 1986-08-05 | Doboy Packaging Machinery, Inc. | High-speed microprocessor-controlled branch conveyor |
US4687107A (en) | 1985-05-02 | 1987-08-18 | Pennwalt Corporation | Apparatus for sizing and sorting articles |
US4692876A (en) | 1984-10-12 | 1987-09-08 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Automatic freight stacking system |
DE3738587A1 (en) | 1987-11-13 | 1989-05-24 | H & K Verpackungstechnik Gmbh | Method and apparatus for apportioning articles in a manner correct in terms of spacing |
US4846335A (en) | 1987-02-03 | 1989-07-11 | Dominion Chain Inc. | Sorter tilt mechanism |
US4911281A (en) | 1986-05-20 | 1990-03-27 | Erwin Jenkner | System for sorting a subdivided plate workpiece |
US4915209A (en) | 1988-05-23 | 1990-04-10 | Francesco Canziani | Method for controlling the exact positioning of the items to be sorted in an automatic sorting plant |
EP0415771A2 (en) | 1989-09-01 | 1991-03-06 | QUANTRONIX, Inc. | Measurement of spatial dimensions and weight of an object |
US5018928A (en) | 1988-10-31 | 1991-05-28 | Karl Hartlepp | Sortation equipment |
FR2656715A1 (en) * | 1990-01-02 | 1991-07-05 | Journo Investissements Rech A | Machine for continuously carrying out information acquisition and/or marking operations on pouches containing objects, especially in the photographic field, for the purposes of performing sorting thereof |
US5054601A (en) | 1989-09-19 | 1991-10-08 | Quipp, Incorporated | Sorting conveyor |
US5060457A (en) | 1989-07-26 | 1991-10-29 | G.A.P. Tecnica S.R.L. | Pasta handling apparatus |
US5255774A (en) | 1991-12-12 | 1993-10-26 | Yoyokanetsu Kabushiki Kaisha | Sorting apparatus |
US5284252A (en) | 1991-11-13 | 1994-02-08 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Automatic rotary sorter |
US5301544A (en) | 1992-06-08 | 1994-04-12 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of an object |
US5331118A (en) | 1992-11-27 | 1994-07-19 | Soren Jensen | Package dimensional volume and weight determination system for conveyors |
US5388681A (en) | 1992-10-19 | 1995-02-14 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Inflatable conveyor belt |
DE4338801A1 (en) | 1993-11-13 | 1995-05-18 | Thomas A Ahbel | Method of stacking piece goods of different sizes and/ quality |
US5451771A (en) | 1992-04-06 | 1995-09-19 | Electrocom Automation, Inc. | Method and apparatus for detecting overlapping products in a singulated product stream |
US5484049A (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1996-01-16 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Package measuring system and accumulator |
WO1996032205A2 (en) | 1995-04-12 | 1996-10-17 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for sorting articles using a matrix of conveyor cells |
US5570773A (en) | 1993-11-17 | 1996-11-05 | United Parcel Service Of America | Tilting tray package sorting apparatus |
US5579922A (en) * | 1994-01-26 | 1996-12-03 | Bernhard Beumer Maschinenfabrik Kg | Mixed cargo conveyer (sorter) for sorting pieces of mixed cargo |
US5672815A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-09-30 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for measuring outside dimensions and the center of gravity of a package |
US5711410A (en) | 1996-02-02 | 1998-01-27 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor control system |
WO1998008759A1 (en) | 1996-08-30 | 1998-03-05 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Belt-carried tilt tray sorter |
WO1998023511A2 (en) | 1996-11-26 | 1998-06-04 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for palletizing packages of random size and weight |
WO1998030476A2 (en) | 1997-01-06 | 1998-07-16 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor having serpentine capabilities |
WO1998031615A1 (en) | 1997-01-22 | 1998-07-23 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Detachable material handling tray with automatic parcel ejection mechanism |
WO1998031614A1 (en) | 1997-01-22 | 1998-07-23 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Automated lateral translation conveyor |
WO1998033729A1 (en) | 1997-02-04 | 1998-08-06 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | High speed tilted belt sorter |
WO1998049076A2 (en) | 1997-04-25 | 1998-11-05 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor having a cushioned belt and high speed discharge capabilities |
EP0888525A1 (en) | 1996-03-18 | 1999-01-07 | Nobel Elektronik AB | Shear beam load cell |
US5860504A (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1999-01-19 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Transfer buffer and inserter and method |
US5868238A (en) | 1997-04-25 | 1999-02-09 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | High speed smart diverter for a conveyor sorter |
US5868239A (en) | 1997-01-27 | 1999-02-09 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor including controlled package ejection capabilities |
EP0927689A1 (en) | 1997-12-29 | 1999-07-07 | Sandvik Aktiebolag | Method and equipment with high productivity for the sorting of parcels |
US5950798A (en) | 1997-02-26 | 1999-09-14 | United Parcel Services Of America | Air distribution systems for shoe sorter |
US5967290A (en) | 1997-08-13 | 1999-10-19 | United Parcel Service Of America | High speed bobbin-type sorter for parcels |
US5990437A (en) * | 1997-02-05 | 1999-11-23 | W & H Systems, Inc. | System for sorting articles |
-
1999
- 1999-08-05 US US09/368,757 patent/US6323452B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2000
- 2000-08-03 DE DE60026535T patent/DE60026535T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-08-03 CA CA002378356A patent/CA2378356C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-08-03 ES ES00952457T patent/ES2258978T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-08-03 WO PCT/US2000/021209 patent/WO2001010574A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2000-08-03 AT AT00952457T patent/ATE319523T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-08-03 EP EP00952457A patent/EP1200205B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-08-03 JP JP2001515076A patent/JP3782349B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (56)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3034665A (en) | 1958-05-22 | 1962-05-15 | Speaker Sortation Systems Inc | Conveyor system |
US3436968A (en) | 1965-02-11 | 1969-04-08 | Fairbanks Morse Inc | Processing control system |
US3485339A (en) | 1967-12-11 | 1969-12-23 | Fairbank Morse Inc | Article spacing system |
US3515254A (en) | 1968-08-27 | 1970-06-02 | Leo A Gary | Conveyor system having computer for finding the centers of objects being conveyed |
US3581071A (en) | 1969-04-10 | 1971-05-25 | Chesapeake & Ohio Railway | Train length measuring device |
US3531002A (en) | 1969-07-15 | 1970-09-29 | Triax Co | Automatic storage apparatus |
US3817368A (en) | 1972-09-08 | 1974-06-18 | American Chain & Cable Co | Automatic loading system |
US3822009A (en) | 1973-02-01 | 1974-07-02 | Eastman Kodak Co | Item transporting system |
US4089404A (en) | 1976-09-29 | 1978-05-16 | A-T-O, Inc. | Tilting tray apparatus |
US4256434A (en) | 1977-12-02 | 1981-03-17 | Lindemann Maschinenfabrik Gmbh | Method of loading bales on to transport vehicles |
US4279557A (en) | 1977-12-02 | 1981-07-21 | Lindemann Maschinenfabrik Gmbh | Apparatus for loading bales on to transport vehicles |
US4419384A (en) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-12-06 | Armstrong World Industries, Inc. | Apparatus and process for ultrasonically identifying and coating articles having differing characteristics |
US4557386A (en) | 1983-06-27 | 1985-12-10 | Cochlea Corporation | System to measure geometric and electromagnetic characteristics of objects |
US4604704A (en) | 1984-09-10 | 1986-08-05 | Doboy Packaging Machinery, Inc. | High-speed microprocessor-controlled branch conveyor |
US4692876A (en) | 1984-10-12 | 1987-09-08 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Automatic freight stacking system |
FR2576528A1 (en) | 1985-01-30 | 1986-08-01 | Hotchkiss Brandt Sogeme | Processing method for the separating of objects |
US4687107A (en) | 1985-05-02 | 1987-08-18 | Pennwalt Corporation | Apparatus for sizing and sorting articles |
US4911281A (en) | 1986-05-20 | 1990-03-27 | Erwin Jenkner | System for sorting a subdivided plate workpiece |
US4846335A (en) | 1987-02-03 | 1989-07-11 | Dominion Chain Inc. | Sorter tilt mechanism |
DE3738587A1 (en) | 1987-11-13 | 1989-05-24 | H & K Verpackungstechnik Gmbh | Method and apparatus for apportioning articles in a manner correct in terms of spacing |
US4915209A (en) | 1988-05-23 | 1990-04-10 | Francesco Canziani | Method for controlling the exact positioning of the items to be sorted in an automatic sorting plant |
US5018928A (en) | 1988-10-31 | 1991-05-28 | Karl Hartlepp | Sortation equipment |
US5060457A (en) | 1989-07-26 | 1991-10-29 | G.A.P. Tecnica S.R.L. | Pasta handling apparatus |
EP0415771A2 (en) | 1989-09-01 | 1991-03-06 | QUANTRONIX, Inc. | Measurement of spatial dimensions and weight of an object |
US5054601A (en) | 1989-09-19 | 1991-10-08 | Quipp, Incorporated | Sorting conveyor |
FR2656715A1 (en) * | 1990-01-02 | 1991-07-05 | Journo Investissements Rech A | Machine for continuously carrying out information acquisition and/or marking operations on pouches containing objects, especially in the photographic field, for the purposes of performing sorting thereof |
US5441141A (en) | 1991-11-13 | 1995-08-15 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Automatic rotary sorter and cylindrical storage system |
US5284252A (en) | 1991-11-13 | 1994-02-08 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Automatic rotary sorter |
US5255774A (en) | 1991-12-12 | 1993-10-26 | Yoyokanetsu Kabushiki Kaisha | Sorting apparatus |
US5451771A (en) | 1992-04-06 | 1995-09-19 | Electrocom Automation, Inc. | Method and apparatus for detecting overlapping products in a singulated product stream |
US5301544A (en) | 1992-06-08 | 1994-04-12 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for determining the center of gravity of an object |
US5388681A (en) | 1992-10-19 | 1995-02-14 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Inflatable conveyor belt |
US5331118A (en) | 1992-11-27 | 1994-07-19 | Soren Jensen | Package dimensional volume and weight determination system for conveyors |
DE4338801A1 (en) | 1993-11-13 | 1995-05-18 | Thomas A Ahbel | Method of stacking piece goods of different sizes and/ quality |
US5570773A (en) | 1993-11-17 | 1996-11-05 | United Parcel Service Of America | Tilting tray package sorting apparatus |
US5579922A (en) * | 1994-01-26 | 1996-12-03 | Bernhard Beumer Maschinenfabrik Kg | Mixed cargo conveyer (sorter) for sorting pieces of mixed cargo |
US5484049A (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1996-01-16 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Package measuring system and accumulator |
US5505291A (en) | 1994-02-22 | 1996-04-09 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Package measuring system and accumulator |
US5860504A (en) | 1994-11-16 | 1999-01-19 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Transfer buffer and inserter and method |
WO1996032205A2 (en) | 1995-04-12 | 1996-10-17 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for sorting articles using a matrix of conveyor cells |
US5672815A (en) | 1995-06-07 | 1997-09-30 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for measuring outside dimensions and the center of gravity of a package |
US5711410A (en) | 1996-02-02 | 1998-01-27 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor control system |
EP0888525A1 (en) | 1996-03-18 | 1999-01-07 | Nobel Elektronik AB | Shear beam load cell |
WO1998008759A1 (en) | 1996-08-30 | 1998-03-05 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Belt-carried tilt tray sorter |
WO1998023511A2 (en) | 1996-11-26 | 1998-06-04 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Method and apparatus for palletizing packages of random size and weight |
WO1998030476A2 (en) | 1997-01-06 | 1998-07-16 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor having serpentine capabilities |
WO1998031615A1 (en) | 1997-01-22 | 1998-07-23 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Detachable material handling tray with automatic parcel ejection mechanism |
WO1998031614A1 (en) | 1997-01-22 | 1998-07-23 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Automated lateral translation conveyor |
US5868239A (en) | 1997-01-27 | 1999-02-09 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor including controlled package ejection capabilities |
WO1998033729A1 (en) | 1997-02-04 | 1998-08-06 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | High speed tilted belt sorter |
US5990437A (en) * | 1997-02-05 | 1999-11-23 | W & H Systems, Inc. | System for sorting articles |
US5950798A (en) | 1997-02-26 | 1999-09-14 | United Parcel Services Of America | Air distribution systems for shoe sorter |
WO1998049076A2 (en) | 1997-04-25 | 1998-11-05 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | Conveyor having a cushioned belt and high speed discharge capabilities |
US5868238A (en) | 1997-04-25 | 1999-02-09 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | High speed smart diverter for a conveyor sorter |
US5967290A (en) | 1997-08-13 | 1999-10-19 | United Parcel Service Of America | High speed bobbin-type sorter for parcels |
EP0927689A1 (en) | 1997-12-29 | 1999-07-07 | Sandvik Aktiebolag | Method and equipment with high productivity for the sorting of parcels |
Cited By (133)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6554123B2 (en) * | 1999-12-21 | 2003-04-29 | United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. | High speed parcel sorter |
US6688459B1 (en) * | 2001-03-14 | 2004-02-10 | Hytrol Conveyor Company, Inc. | Article sorting system and method |
US7547174B1 (en) | 2001-08-01 | 2009-06-16 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | Method of removing a flat article from a holder |
US20050015240A1 (en) * | 2001-10-29 | 2005-01-20 | Appleby Stephen C | Machine translation |
US7565281B2 (en) * | 2001-10-29 | 2009-07-21 | British Telecommunications | Machine translation |
US6847860B2 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2005-01-25 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Profiler system for mail articles |
US20050027391A1 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2005-02-03 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Profiler system for mail articles |
US6964149B2 (en) | 2002-04-09 | 2005-11-15 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method for automatically packaging products |
CN1305737C (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2007-03-21 | 富士胶片株式会社 | Method and apparatus for automatically packaging products |
US6922970B2 (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2005-08-02 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Apparatus for automatically packaging products |
US20030188511A1 (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2003-10-09 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method of and apparatus for automatically packaging products |
US20050193688A1 (en) * | 2002-04-09 | 2005-09-08 | Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. | Method for automatically packaging products |
US6666246B2 (en) * | 2002-05-02 | 2003-12-23 | Les Produits Gilbert, Inc. | Automated planer machine |
US7084365B2 (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2006-08-01 | Lands' End Direct Merchants, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for a non-discrete sortation process |
US20040031732A1 (en) * | 2002-08-19 | 2004-02-19 | Whitnable B. Daniel | Methods and apparatus for a non-discrete sortation process |
US6921875B2 (en) * | 2002-10-08 | 2005-07-26 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process |
US20040065596A1 (en) * | 2002-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | Hanson Bruce H. | Method for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process |
US7383188B2 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2008-06-03 | Systems Application Engineering, Inc. | Object loading system and method |
US20070083443A1 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2007-04-12 | System Applications Engineering, Inc | Object loading system and method |
US20050167242A1 (en) * | 2004-01-28 | 2005-08-04 | E.C.H. Will Gmbh | Method and arrangement as well as apparatus for transverse conveyance of reams |
US7284655B2 (en) * | 2004-01-28 | 2007-10-23 | E.C.H. Will Gmbh | Method and arrangement as well as apparatus for transverse conveyance of reams |
US8113334B2 (en) | 2004-04-29 | 2012-02-14 | Span Tech Llc | Matrix sorter system |
US7481728B2 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2009-01-27 | Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. | System and apparatus for driving a track mounted robot |
US20050288140A1 (en) * | 2004-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | Pippin James M | System and apparatus for driving a track mounted robot |
US20090127074A1 (en) * | 2005-04-11 | 2009-05-21 | Alessandro Cavallo | Conveying device comprising at least one slide for piece goods, and method for stacking piece goods in a container |
US20060233577A1 (en) * | 2005-04-13 | 2006-10-19 | Avision Inc. | Automatic document feeder capable of sorting originals |
US8334472B2 (en) * | 2005-04-13 | 2012-12-18 | Avision Inc. | Automatic document feeder assembly capable of sorting originals |
US7299837B2 (en) | 2005-10-31 | 2007-11-27 | Les Produits Gilbert, Inc. | Planing heads assembly for an automated planing machine |
US20070095428A1 (en) * | 2005-10-31 | 2007-05-03 | Les Produits Gilbert, Inc. | Planing heads assembly for an automated planing machine |
US7586049B2 (en) | 2006-08-09 | 2009-09-08 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Apparatus and method for measuring the weight of items on a conveyor |
US20080164074A1 (en) * | 2006-08-09 | 2008-07-10 | Accu-Sort Systems, Inc. | Apparatus and method for measuring the weight of items on a conveyor |
WO2008145559A1 (en) * | 2007-05-31 | 2008-12-04 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Control device, sorting system and sorting method for goods |
US20090242465A1 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2009-10-01 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and arrangement for synchronizing the distribution information of sorting stock with the information relating to a sorter element loaded with this sorting stock |
US7915557B2 (en) * | 2008-03-27 | 2011-03-29 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Method and arrangement for synchronizing the distribution information of sorting stock with the information relating to a sorter element loaded with this sorting stock |
ES2340019A1 (en) * | 2010-02-15 | 2010-05-27 | Cenker Robotics, S.L. | Installation for automatic repositioning of commercial products and replacement procedure (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) |
US9004271B2 (en) | 2011-08-25 | 2015-04-14 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Weighing system using a conveyor belt with load cells |
WO2013028378A2 (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2013-02-28 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Weighing system using a conveyor belt with load cells |
WO2013028378A3 (en) * | 2011-08-25 | 2014-05-08 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Weighing system using a conveyor belt with load cells |
US9146146B2 (en) | 2011-10-14 | 2015-09-29 | Purolator Inc. | System, method, and computer readable medium for determining the weight of items in a non-singulated and non-spaced arrangement on a conveyor system |
US9415938B2 (en) | 2013-05-31 | 2016-08-16 | Jesus R. Oropeza | Weighing and sorting system and method |
US8857625B1 (en) * | 2013-05-31 | 2014-10-14 | Jesus R. Oropeza | Weighing and sorting system and method |
US10094699B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2018-10-09 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Force-sensing conveyor belt |
US10597236B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2020-03-24 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Capacitively coupled conveyer measuring system |
US9476757B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2016-10-25 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Resonant-circuit weighing system for a conveyor belt |
US10191001B2 (en) | 2014-04-15 | 2019-01-29 | Laitram, L.L.C. | Conveyor-belt system for measuring conditions that vary the resonant frequency of a resonant circuit |
US9676566B2 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2017-06-13 | GB Instruments Inc. | Stacked tilt tray and cross-belt sorting system |
US9896280B2 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2018-02-20 | GB Instruments Inc. | Stacked tilt tray and cross-belt sorting system |
US20160280472A1 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2016-09-29 | Joseph Porat | Stacked tilt tray and cross-belt sorting system |
US11494575B2 (en) | 2015-09-11 | 2022-11-08 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects |
US10621402B2 (en) | 2015-09-11 | 2020-04-14 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Robotic systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects |
US11458507B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2022-10-04 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic processing of objects |
US11400491B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2022-08-02 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic sortation of objects |
US11839902B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2023-12-12 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic sortation of objects |
US10730078B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2020-08-04 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic sortation of objects |
US10625305B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2020-04-21 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic processing of objects |
US10737299B2 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2020-08-11 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Perception systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects |
US11351575B2 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2022-06-07 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Perception systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects |
US10730077B2 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2020-08-04 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Perception systems and methods for identifying and processing a variety of objects |
US10087022B2 (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2018-10-02 | BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG | Method and device for synchronized channeling of piece goods on a sorting conveyor |
GB2573206B (en) * | 2016-09-08 | 2021-12-15 | Walmart Apollo Llc | Automated tote routing system and methods |
US20180065156A1 (en) * | 2016-09-08 | 2018-03-08 | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Automated Tote Routing System and Methods |
WO2018048622A1 (en) * | 2016-09-08 | 2018-03-15 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Automated tote routing system and methods |
US10661311B2 (en) | 2016-09-08 | 2020-05-26 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Automated tote routing system and methods |
US20190248512A1 (en) * | 2016-10-24 | 2019-08-15 | Beumer Group A/S | Method of claiming aircraft baggage |
US10745150B2 (en) * | 2016-10-24 | 2020-08-18 | Beumer Group A/S | Method of claiming aircraft baggage |
CN110199231A (en) * | 2016-11-08 | 2019-09-03 | 伯克希尔格雷股份有限公司 | System and method for handling object |
US11780684B2 (en) | 2016-11-08 | 2023-10-10 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects |
US10793375B2 (en) * | 2016-11-08 | 2020-10-06 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects |
US20180127219A1 (en) * | 2016-11-08 | 2018-05-10 | Berkshire Grey Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects |
CN110199231B (en) * | 2016-11-08 | 2023-12-15 | 伯克希尔格雷运营股份有限公司 | System and method for processing objects |
US11492210B2 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2022-11-08 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing |
US10913615B2 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2021-02-09 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing |
US11820605B2 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2023-11-21 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing |
US10913614B2 (en) | 2016-11-28 | 2021-02-09 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing |
US11400493B2 (en) | 2016-12-06 | 2022-08-02 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing for the processing of objects in vehicles |
US11945003B2 (en) | 2016-12-06 | 2024-04-02 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing for the processing of objects in vehicles |
US10875057B2 (en) | 2016-12-06 | 2020-12-29 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing for the processing of objects in vehicles |
US11471917B2 (en) | 2016-12-06 | 2022-10-18 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing for the processing of objects in vehicles |
US10290170B2 (en) * | 2017-01-17 | 2019-05-14 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Apparatus and method for stacking banknotes, and system for packaging banknotes |
US11390459B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2022-07-19 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11814245B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2023-11-14 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US10632610B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2020-04-28 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including a zone gantry system |
US11492212B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2022-11-08 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including transport vehicles |
US11365051B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2022-06-21 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including an auto-shuttle system |
US10583553B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2020-03-10 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including an auto-shuttle system |
US11932489B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2024-03-19 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including an auto-shuttle system |
US11478923B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2022-10-25 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including a zone gantry system |
US10894674B2 (en) | 2017-03-20 | 2021-01-19 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including transport vehicles |
US10576621B2 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2020-03-03 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated mobile matrix bins |
US11493910B2 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2022-11-08 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated mobile matrix carriers |
US11402831B2 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2022-08-02 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated mobile matrix bins |
US10611021B2 (en) | 2017-03-23 | 2020-04-07 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated mobile matrix carriers |
US11472022B2 (en) | 2017-03-24 | 2022-10-18 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing |
US10646991B2 (en) | 2017-03-24 | 2020-05-12 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing |
US11205059B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-12-21 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using conveyor transfer with one or more object processing systems |
US11481566B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2022-10-25 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using a vacuum roller with one or more object processing systems |
US11868840B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2024-01-09 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using a vacuum roller with one or more object processing systems |
US11416695B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2022-08-16 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for distributing induction of objects to a plurality of object processing systems |
US11734526B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2023-08-22 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for distributing induction of objects to a plurality of object processing systems |
US11847513B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2023-12-19 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using vacuum diverts with one or more object processing systems |
US11301654B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2022-04-12 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for limiting induction of objects to one or more object processing systems |
US11842248B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2023-12-12 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including space efficient distribution stations and automated output processing |
US11200390B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-12-14 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using drop conveyors with one or more object processing systems |
US11681884B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2023-06-20 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using conveyor transfer with one or more object processing systems |
US11748584B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2023-09-05 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using drop conveyors with one or more object processing systems |
US11055504B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-07-06 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using a vacuum roller with one or more object processing systems |
US11126807B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-09-21 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including space efficient distribution stations and automated output processing |
US11080496B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2021-08-03 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using vacuum diverts with one or more object processing systems |
US11537807B2 (en) | 2017-04-18 | 2022-12-27 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for separating objects using vacuum diverts with one or more object processing systems |
US11826787B2 (en) | 2017-04-24 | 2023-11-28 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing using object movement redistribution |
US10792706B2 (en) | 2017-04-24 | 2020-10-06 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for providing singulation of objects for processing using object movement redistribution |
US11161689B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2021-11-02 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Movement systems and method for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11814246B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2023-11-14 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Bin infeed and removal systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11673742B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2023-06-13 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11661275B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2023-05-30 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Maintenance systems for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11597615B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2023-03-07 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Discontinuous grid system for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11577920B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2023-02-14 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11866255B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2024-01-09 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Discontinuous grid system for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11084660B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2021-08-10 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Bin infeed and removal systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11117760B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2021-09-14 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US10988323B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2021-04-27 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Maintenance systems for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US11148890B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2021-10-19 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Mobile carriers for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US10913612B2 (en) | 2017-10-27 | 2021-02-09 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Discontinuous grid system for use in systems and methods for processing objects including mobile matrix carrier systems |
US10870538B2 (en) | 2018-05-04 | 2020-12-22 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing stations |
US10583986B2 (en) | 2018-05-04 | 2020-03-10 | Berkshire Grey, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing stations |
US11866261B2 (en) | 2018-05-04 | 2024-01-09 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing stations |
US11634282B2 (en) | 2018-05-04 | 2023-04-25 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects, including automated processing stations |
US11373134B2 (en) | 2018-10-23 | 2022-06-28 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for dynamic processing of objects with data verification |
US11845614B2 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2023-12-19 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including semi-autonomous stations and automated output processing |
US11472633B2 (en) | 2018-10-30 | 2022-10-18 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for processing objects including semi-autonomous stations and automated output processing |
US11752521B2 (en) | 2019-08-08 | 2023-09-12 | Berkshire Grey Operating Company, Inc. | Systems and methods for sorting objects to large numbers of orders |
US10974913B1 (en) | 2019-11-07 | 2021-04-13 | Berne Apparel Company | Tilting tray products sorting apparatus |
CN112371521A (en) * | 2020-10-15 | 2021-02-19 | 长泰县捷顺速递有限公司 | High-efficient operation equipment of express delivery |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2003506293A (en) | 2003-02-18 |
EP1200205B1 (en) | 2006-03-08 |
DE60026535D1 (en) | 2006-05-04 |
DE60026535T2 (en) | 2007-02-01 |
JP3782349B2 (en) | 2006-06-07 |
CA2378356A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
EP1200205A1 (en) | 2002-05-02 |
ATE319523T1 (en) | 2006-03-15 |
CA2378356C (en) | 2004-11-02 |
ES2258978T3 (en) | 2006-09-16 |
WO2001010574A1 (en) | 2001-02-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6323452B1 (en) | Feeding system and method for placing a plurality of objects on a tray of an automated sorting system | |
US9278376B2 (en) | Tray handling system and process | |
US7683284B2 (en) | Sorting device for flat mail items | |
US6555776B2 (en) | Single feed one pass mixed mail sequencer | |
EP1931584B2 (en) | System and method for automated handling of baggage objects | |
US10022752B1 (en) | Package sorting module, system, and method of using the same | |
US8113334B2 (en) | Matrix sorter system | |
US20140350717A1 (en) | Order fulfillment method | |
US8634954B2 (en) | System and method for handling returned goods in an order-picking system | |
US20040073333A1 (en) | System, method, and program for sorting objects | |
US11186437B2 (en) | Suspension conveyor system for sorting products | |
KR102657809B1 (en) | Article rearranging apparatus | |
US20050222708A1 (en) | Single pass sequencer and method of use | |
JPH06218333A (en) | Transhipment bridge for letter classification equipment | |
US20070073578A1 (en) | Dock management system and processing of product | |
CZ148495A3 (en) | Storage method of received express luggages at the airport and apparatus for making the same | |
US11219925B2 (en) | Sharing of parcel sorter outlets | |
EP1647338B1 (en) | Method and system for sorting products in accordance with orders therefore | |
JPH0853221A (en) | Baggage conveying and sorting method and apparatus | |
JP4456837B2 (en) | Sorting method and sorting system | |
JPH0753010A (en) | Carrying-in/out device for atuomated warehouse | |
CN116788749A (en) | Raw smoke proportioning boxing and formula warehouse logistics system and conveying method | |
JPH07309404A (en) | Automatic transfer type physical distribution center | |
JP2002045798A (en) | Article classifying equipment | |
NZ314320A (en) | Endless primary conveyor with scanning station diverting articles to secondary loop |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC., GEORGIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BONNET, HENRI;REEL/FRAME:010158/0125 Effective date: 19990723 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |